agenda - hart district...monitoring of important sites and the development of small biodiversity...

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NOTICE OF MEETING

Meeting:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Date and Time:

Tuesday, 19 June 2018 at 7.00 pm

Place:

Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Fleet

Telephone Enquiries to: 01252 774141 (Mrs Gill Chapman) [email protected]

Members: Axam, Burchfield, Collings, Crookes,

(Chairman), Delaney, Drage, Harward, Quarterman, Wheale, Worlock, Wright

Joint Chief Executive CIVIC OFFICES, HARLINGTON WAY

FLEET, HAMPSHIRE GU51 4AE

AGENDA

COPIES OF THIS AGENDA ARE AVAILABLE IN LARGE PRINT AND BRAILLE ON REQUEST

1 At the start of the meeting, the Lead Officer will confirm the Fire Evacuation Procedure.

2 The Chairman will also ask if anyone intends to record

proceedings, and will announce that anyone remaining at the meeting has provided their consent to any such recording.

mailto:[email protected]

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1 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN 2 MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of 17 April 2018 are attached to be confirmed and signed

as a correct record. Paper A 3 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE 4 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS 5 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To declare disclosable pecuniary, and any other, interests. 6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (ITEMS PERTAINING TO THE AGENDA) Anyone wishing to put a question or statement to the Committee should contact the

Committee Services Officer by phone or email (see front page of this Agenda) at least two clear working days prior to the meeting. Further information can be found at https://www.hart.gov.uk/sites/default/files/4_The_Council/Council_meetings/Public%20Participation%20leaflet%202018%20A4.pdf

7 UNIVERSAL CREDIT - ROLL OUT

Ian Gardener, Senior Employer and Partnership Manager for Wiltshire Swindon and North Hampshire, to present subject to availability.

8 HART BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

To consider the draft Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 2018-2023. Paper B RECOMMENDATION

That the Committee considers and comments on the draft Biodiversity Action Plan prior to it being submitted to Cabinet for approval.

9 NOMINATIONS TO SERVICE BOARDS To nominate members to Service Boards, meetings as detailed on the schedule.

Paper C 10 QUARTER 4 AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2017/18

To update Members on the Council’s performance indicator results for the final quarter of 2017/18 (1 January 2018 - 31 March 2018). Paper D

https://www.hart.gov.uk/sites/default/files/4_The_Council/Council_meetings/Public%20Participation%20leaflet%202018%20A4.pdf

https://www.hart.gov.uk/sites/default/files/4_The_Council/Council_meetings/Public%20Participation%20leaflet%202018%20A4.pdf

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RECOMMENDATION

1 For any areas of concern, Members recommend action considered necessary; either to the Service Board responsible for that indicator, or to Cabinet.

2 For Members to note the inclusion of performance measures for our Service

Level Agreements (SLAs) with third party / charitable organisations and some minor changes to reporting of Capita related KPIs due to the commencement of services in October 2017.

3 For Members to feedback to the Joint Chief Executives, any amendments or

new information they wish to see included in these Performance Reports. 11 CABINET WORK PROGRAMME The Cabinet Work Programme is attached for information. Paper E 12 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme is attached for consideration and

amendment. Paper F Date of Despatch: 12 June 2018

O&S.47

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Date and Time: Tuesday, 17 April 2018 at 7pm Place: Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Fleet COUNCILLORS Axam, Burchfeld, Clarke, Crisp, Crookes (Chairman), Forster (substitute Wheale), Gray, Harward, Leeson, Makepeace-Browne, Parker (substitute Morris) Officers: John Elson Head of Environment and Technical Services

134 MINUTES Members considered the amendment of Minute 128. It was agreed that the correct

wording for the decision should read:

‘Members considered the proposed strategy before Cabinet. Scrutiny recommended that the strategy be re-written prior to Cabinet, and offered to review any updated strategy.’ With this amendment, the minutes of the meeting of 20 March 2018 were confirmed and signed.

135 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Morris (substitute Parker), and Wheale (substitute Forster).

136 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS None. 137 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None declared. 138 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (ITEMS PERTAINING TO THE AGENDA) None. 139 FEEDBACK FROM SERVICE BOARDS

No feedback was provided as there had been no Service Boards since the last meeting.

O&S.48

140 REGULATION OF INVESTIGATORY POWERS (RIPA) – QUARTERLY UPDATE

Members noted that there had been no further use of the RIPA provisions (Covert Surveillance Policy) since the report to Overview and Scrutiny in April 2013.


Ian Gardener, Senior Employer and Partnership Manager for Wiltshire, Swindon and North Hampshire DWP, had been scheduled to inform Members of the roll out of Universal Credit, but had offered his apologies as he had been unable to attend. Members were disappointed that the presentation had been cancelled and agreed that a request should be made for this presentation to be given at the next scheduled meeting of this Committee in June.

142 ANNUAL UPDATE ON USE OF BODY WORN VIDEO

The Head of Environment and Technical Services gave an oral update. During the period 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018 the Civil Enforcement Officers used their body worn video (BWV) on 59 occasions. • On 36 of these occasions the camera had been turned on in error or for test

purposes • On 26 occasions they were used because the officer felt vulnerable or

threatened • There were 5 instances where the footage was retained, including two

instances where the footage was passed to the Police • There were 54 instances where the recordings were automatically deleted

after 1 month as no further action was taken. The update was noted with the request that the Committee is provided with an update on Police investigations into incidents recorded in previous years, and that information is provided on the number of occasions that BWV has been used in Hart by the Litter Enforcement Officers employed by East Hampshire District Council.

143 REVIEW OF THE SHARED CCTV SYSTEM

Members considered and discussed the conclusions of the Shared CCTV System Review. After discussion, Members agreed further recommendations regarding value for money, incident reports and the deployment of cameras for fly tipping enforcement. Members also asked that a further visit to the control room be arranged for Councillors.

DECISION That the following recommendations be forwarded to Cabinet:

O&S.49

1. That the Council commits to the continued delivery of shared CCTV service

with Rushmoor Borough Council.

2. That Hart works with Rushmoor Borough Council to develop costed proposals to implement the recommended CCTV control system improvements.

3. That the existing CCTV maintenance contract is retendered.

4. That work proceeds with the installation of the two new cameras previously proposed for Fleet.

5. That further work is undertaken to explore opportunities and the cost of rationalising Hart’s existing CCTV camera network.

6. That further consideration is given to the hours of operation of the Control Room and whether it provides value for money and coincides with the busy period for recorded incidents.

7. That CCTV incident reports are included in the monthly Community Safety Bulletin.

8. That consideration is given to the Shared Service managing the deployment of cameras for fly tipping enforcement.

144 REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES The Committee was informed of Members’ work in 2017/18 as representatives of

the Council on Outside Bodies via a summary of reports from the Council’s representatives on external bodies for 2017/18.

Members considered the current partnerships and external representation and

suggested that the template for the report be amended to include details of which Members sit on the representative groups, which groups are currently dormant, how many times each group has met and how many meetings were attended by the Hart representative.

In addition members asked that this report from representative bodies be taken to

the annual Full Council meeting. DECISION That the information be noted and additional details be added in future:

• Which Member sits on the representative group • Dormant groups • How many times each group has met in the year • How many meetings were attended by the Hart representative

O&S.50

145 REVIEW OF THE WORK OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE OVER THE PAST YEAR 2017/18

Members reviewed the work of Overview and Scrutiny Committee over the past year 2017/18 prior to the presentation of the report to Annual Council. Members noted that Paragraph 3.1 refers to the budget being approved by the County Council, this should read District Council.

Members requested that an officer briefing be provided to members who have an interest on the proposals for implementing pavement and verge parking.

Members requested that a log of agreed actions from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be maintained. DECISION The report and subsequent actions were noted.

146 CABINET WORK PROGRAMME The Cabinet Work Programme was noted. 147 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was noted with no amendments

proposed. The meeting closed at 8:35 pm

PAPER B

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OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE DATE OF MEETING: 19 JUNE 2018 TITLE OF REPORT: DRAFT BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN 2018-2023 Report of: Dr Paul Howe, Biodiversity Officer Cabinet Member: Councillor David Neighbour, Finance and Corporate

Services 1 PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 To consider the draft Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 2018-2023 as set out in

Appendix 1.

2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION 2.1 That the Committee considers and comments on the draft Biodiversity Action Plan

prior to it being submitted to Cabinet for approval. 3 BACKGROUND INFORMATION 3.1 This document provides an update to the previous Action Plan which ran from 2012-

2017. The previous plan targeted actions in development control, planning policy, monitoring of important sites and the development of small biodiversity enhancement projects.

3.2 This updated BAP supports identified actions in the Corporate Plan 2017 – 2022 and

the Council’s legislative duty to conserve biodiversity. 3.2 Achievements from the first BAP include:

• Around 350 planning consultations per year provided with biodiversity advice; • Biodiversity aims and projects incorporated into the Hart Green

Infrastructure Strategy (adopted in 2017); • Many new Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) designated in

the district including on Hart managed land e.g. Broad Oak Common, Bramshot Farm;

• “Bioblitz” events undertaken at Broad Oak Common and Basingbourne Heath;

• Wildflower schemes developed across the district in partnership with Parishes and residents associations;

• New pond created at Potley Primary School; • Talks given to groups such as Fleet WI and Camberley Natural History

Society about biodiversity in Hart; • Biodiversity-focused articles in each edition of “Hart News” with associated

schemes for wildflower seeds and sparrow terraces; • Input into biodiversity policies in the emerging Local Plan.

PAPER B

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3.3 The updated plan builds on these areas while also setting specific targets within planning policy to develop a biodiversity accounting system as detailed in the Corporate Plan.

4 BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN 2018 - 2023 4.1 The revised BAP will work alongside existing policy and associated documents such

as the Green Infrastructure Strategy. It includes a range of activities continuing on from existing work, and also includes the production of a Supplementary Planning Document for Biodiversity, and the intention to develop a biodiversity offsetting project.

5 FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS 5.1 The draft BAP is linked to the agreed budget for 2018/19. The revised BAP will be

delivered predominantly by the Biodiversity Officer working with other departments, Parishes, and external partners.

6 MANAGEMENT OF RISK 6.1 The BAP helps to deliver the Council’s legislative duty to conserve biodiversity and

delivers key aims from the Corporate Plan. It also provides a work programme for biodiversity over the next five years and the mechanism by which small biodiversity projects can be delivered.

7 CONCLUSIONS 7.1 Committee is requested to consider the draft updated BAP which together with

comments from the Committee will be submitted to Cabinet for approval in July. CONTACT: Paul Howe, Ext 4106, [email protected] APPENDICES: Appendix 1 – Draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-2023


Biodiversity Action Plan

for Hart

2018 – 2023

Paper B Appendix 1

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Contents

Introduction………………………………………,,,,,,………………… 3

Purpose of this Action plan………………………………..…………… 4

Biodiversity Achievements 2012-17……………………….….…...…… 5

What is biodiversity and why is it important? …………..…………….. 6

Overview of the biodiversity resource in Hart …………..…...………. 8

Designated sites in Hart…………………………...……..…………… 10

Nature conservation sites managed by HDC………….………..….… 14

Action Plan 2018-23………………………………….…………….…. 16

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1. Introduction

1.1 The natural environment in Hart has experienced large changes over the past century,

in common with most of south eastern England. However, there remains an extremely

diverse natural environment in the district, rich in different habitats and species. Hart

is characterised by a mosaic of farmland, ancient woodlands, lowland heathlands and

water courses. There is also a varied built environment from newer towns such as

Fleet and Yateley to rural towns and villages such as Odiham and Hartley Wintney

which all contain features which contribute to overall biodiversity resource.

1.2 The publication of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act in 2006

makes biodiversity an important consideration for all local authorities. Section 40 of

this act sets out the duty to conserve biodiversity: “Every public authority must, in

exercising its functions, have regard, so far as is consistent with the proper exercise

of those functions, to the purpose of conserving biodiversity”.

1.3 The adoption of the first Hart Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) in 2012 helped translate

national and regional targets into local action, whilst also highlighting species and areas

of local importance. The first Hart BAP was implemented by the Council’s Biodiversity

Officer in partnership with other groups such as the Hampshire Biodiversity

Information Centre (HBIC), Hart Countryside Services, Parish Councils, friends of

groups and other council departments.

1.4 The BAP set various actions in the broad areas of development control and planning

policy, monitoring and survey work, land management and enhancement and

education and awareness.

1.5 The Hart District Council Corporate Plan (2017-22) commits to protecting and

enhancing biodiversity through development mitigation, managing designated sites

positively and working with local groups to deliver enhancements projects. Another

key corporate aim is to update the 2012-17 BAP.

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2. Purpose of this Action Plan

2.1 This document aims to build on the previous plan while reflecting new

opportunities and areas of focus for the period until 2023. The BAP will seek to

deliver specific projects, many of which will be linked to the aspirations within the

Corporate Plan for protecting and enhancing biodiversity in Hart. The BAP and its

associated actions is also a key part of delivering national biodiversity targets at a

local level and to facilitate Hart meeting its statutory biodiversity duties.

2.2 The broad aims of this Plan are:

• To continue protecting habitats and species within the district and enhance

existing areas for wildlife;

• To ensure that all council owned or managed designated nature conservation sites

are managed favourably and monitored accurately;

• To action the creation of new habitats through planning policy, including

investigating the feasibility of introducing a biodiversity offsetting scheme;

• To continue raising awareness of biodiversity within the community;

• To raise awareness of biodiversity among council staff and members and work to

make biodiversity a key consideration in council decision making;

• To Monitor and review local biodiversity and this action plan.

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3. Biodiversity Achievements 2012-17

3.1 Through the period 2012-17 covered by the first Hart BAP there have been many notable

changes and achievements as a result of actions from that plan. These include:

• Around 350 planning consultations per year provided with biodiversity advice;

• Biodiversity aims and projects incorporated into the Hart Green Infrastructure

Strategy (adopted in 2017);

• Many new Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs) designated in the

district including on Hart managed land e.g. Broad Oak Common, Bramshot Farm;

• “Bioblitz” events undertaken at Broad Oak Common and Basingbourne Heath;

• Wildflower schemes developed across the district in partnership with Parishes and

residents associations;

• New pond created at Potley Primary School;

• Talks given to groups such as Fleet WI and Camberley Natural History Society

about biodiversity in Hart;

• Biodiversity-focused articles in each edition of “Hart News” with associated

schemes for wildflower seeds and sparrow terraces;

• Input into biodiversity policies in the emerging Local Plan.

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4. What is Biodiversity and why is it

important?

4.1 The word biodiversity was first used at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992. It stands for

biological diversity and is the term used to describe the variety of life on earth in all its

forms. This includes variety or differences in genes and individuals of the same species,

between different plant and animal species and within or between entire ecosystems. The

term goes far beyond simply the number of species in a given environment or habitat.

4.2 Not all habitats are equal in biodiversity terms. Broad-leaved woodland and unimproved

flower-rich lowland meadows are rich in biodiversity when compared to habitats such as

intensive arable farmland or densely constructed urban conurbations. Even within the

urban environment gardens, parks and allotments can all be relatively diverse.

4.3 The natural world, its biodiversity and its ecosystems are critically important to our well-

being and economic prosperity, but are consistently undervalued in conventional

economic analyses and decision making (UK National Ecosystem Assessment, 2011). The

"services" that ecosystems deliver loosely fit into four categories: Provisioning services

(food, water, fuel); regulating services (pollination, water purification, flood reduction,

pollution control); cultural services (spiritual enrichment, health and wellbeing,

recreation); support services (soil formation, nutrient cycling)1

4.4 In 2012 the Government published ‘Biodiversity 2020: A Strategy for England’s Wildlife

and Ecosystem Services’. This document effectively replaced the UK Biodiversity Action

Plan (UKBAP). However, the species and habitats included within the UKBAP remain

important conservation targets, especially at a local level.

1 DEFRA (2011) "The Natural choice: securing the value of nature"

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4.5 More recently, in 2018 the Government published "A green future: our 25 year plan to

improve the environment"2. This also contains a number of biodiversity targets including

restoration of designated sites to “favourable condition”, creating new habitat, protecting

and restoring declining species and increasing deciduous woodland cover across the

country.

4.6 The National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) states that local planning authorities

should set out a strategic approach to their Local Plans by planning positively for the

creation, protection, enhancement and management of networks for biodiversity and

green infrastructure. The NPPF also encourages development to achieve a “net gain” for

biodiversity which can be delivered in a number of ways.

4.7 One mechanism for achieving biodiversity “net gain” is through the implementation of a

“metric” which calculates the amount of biodiversity uplift required above standard

mitigation in order to achieve this gain. This can be delivered on site or through

“offsetting” – which can be through a contribution to an appropriate off-site enhancement

project3. This action plan will provide a mechanism for net gain to be delivered in Hart.

Odiham Common SSSI – a highly biodiverse site

2 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/25-year-environment-plan 3 https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/biodiversity-offsetting

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5. Overview of the Biodiversity Resource in

Hart

5.1 In comparison to some other districts of Hampshire, Hart is particularly rural in character.

There are five major urban areas; Fleet, Hook, Yateley, Blackwater and Hartley Wintney.

Urban areas can be rich in biodiversity in comparison to areas such as intensive farmland

with gardens, parks, railways and road corridors all providing opportunities for species.

Urban areas should be considered as places with substantial opportunities for biodiversity

enhancement.

5.2 A landscape character assessment based initially on a county-wide assessment identified

two broad groupings of rural landscape types:

• Chalklands (open arable and chalk and clay)

• Lowland mosaic (heathland and forest, pasture and woodland, mixed farmland and

woodland and river valleys)

On a local scale within Hart district these landscape types can be further sub-divided to

give a more detailed local assessment of the landscape character4.

Landscape types associated with chalk occur in the southern part of the district in a broad

sweeping band south of Odiham and Crondall. The chalk landscapes are typified by rolling

hills, large mainly arable fields and scattered blocks of woodland. In the very southern part

of the district the chalk landscape becomes more complex with increased woodland

blocks and two areas of enclosed mixed farming where the field sizes are smaller and the

hedgerow structure is stronger.

5.3 Aside from the chalklands in the south of the district, the remainder of the landscape is

made up of a patchwork of other habitat types which reflect the underlying geology. Large

areas in the north and east of the district are covered by heathland and forest. Most of

the heathland areas in the district occur as part of a mosaic of heathland, grassland, scrub

4 https://www.hart.gov.uk/sites/default/files/4_The_Council/Policies_and_published_documents/Planning_policy/Landscape%20Assessment%20Merged.pdf

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and woodland. These habitat types occur at Hazeley Heath, Eversley, Yateley and Hawley

Commons and in the area to the east of Fleet. More open heathland habitats are found

on Yateley Common. The woodland comprises a number of species but a distinction can

be made between the predominantly coniferous woodland plantations and broad-leaved

woodland, some of which may be semi-natural and ancient in origin. There are also some

areas of farmed landscape associated with the unenclosed woodland and heathland and

this retains a “heathy” character.

5.4 Three main river systems pass through Hart District: the Blackwater, Hart and

Whitewater. The habitats and landscape associated with the river corridors is typically

flat, low-lying pasture criss-crossed with drainage ditches which commonly floods. There

has also been extensive gravel extraction along the Blackwater Valley which has created

a series of wetlands. Tree species such as willow and alder are frequent along the ditches.

The Basingstoke Canal and its associated habitats passes through Fleet and across the

district to the south of Odiham. The canal itself is an important site for biodiversity and

it also has features such as the Greywell Tunnel which is a nationally important site for

biodiversity.

5.5 The variety of landscape types within the district help to create an impressive biodiversity

resource. The specially designated conservation sites in the district are described in more

detail in the following section.

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6. Designated sites in Hart

6.1 There are three main tiers of conservation designations for sites in the UK, based on their

relative importance for biodiversity. Internationally designated sites include Ramsar sites,

Special Protection Areas (SPAs) and Special Areas of Conservation (SAC). Nationally

designated sites include Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and National Nature

Reserves (NNRs), while local sites include Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation

(SINCs) and Local Nature Reserves (LNRs). International and nationally designated sites

are often referred to as "statutorily" designated sites (see figure 1).

Internationally important Sites

6.2 The Thames Basin Heaths SPA was designated in 2005 under the EC Birds Directive and

represents the best remaining areas of heathland in north Hampshire, Berkshire and

Surrey. SPAs are comprised of nationally designated Sites of Special Scientific interest in

the UK.

The areas of heathland included in the SPA within the district cover 2, 099 ha and are

designated due to their breeding populations of woodlark, Dartford warbler and nightjar.

Nationally important sites

6.3 There are 16 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) that fall entirely or partially within

the district boundary. Together they cover 2,696 ha which equates to approximately 12.5

% of the district (Table 1). Approximately 95% of the SSSI area in Hart is in either

favourable or unfavourable but recovering condition.

Dartford Warbler, a component species of the Thames Basin Heaths SPA

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Table1. Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Hart

Site Name Parish Area in

district (ha)

Designating

Features

Basingstoke Canal

Fleet/Church Crookham/Crookham

Village/Dogmersfield/Winchfield/

Odiham/Greywell

38

Aquatic habitats and associated terrestrial

habitat i.e. flushes

Blackwater Valley

Blackwater and Hawley/Yateley 14.61

Unimproved meadows, swamps and woodland

Bourley and Long

Valley Ewshot/Church Crookham 381.52

Heathland, woodland,

mire and grasslands

Bramshill Bramshill/Hartley Wintney/Eversley 673.27 Acid ponds and associated mire

Butter wood Greywell/Odiham 87.67 Ancient wood pasture

Castle Bottom to

Yateley and Hawley

Common

Eversley/Yateley/Blackwater and

Hawley 897.83

Heathland and

associated fauna such

as Dartford warbler

Fleet Pond Fleet 48.34

Extensive shallow lake

with diverse flora and fauna

Foxlease and Ancells

Meadows Fleet/Blackwater and Hawley 67.39 Acid grassland

Greywell Fen Greywell/South Warnborough 38.04 Calcareous valley mire

Greywell Tunnel (Basingstoke Canal)

Greywell 38.34 Nationally important

bat roost

Hazeley Heath Hartley Wintney/Mattingley 180.52 Heathland habitats

Heath Brow Ewshot 1.90 Geological interest

Hook Common and

Bartley Heath Hook 122.85

Heathland and

woodland habitats and

diverse faunal assemblage

Odiham Common with Bagwell Green

and Shaw Odiham/Dogmersfield/Winchfield 133.77

Wood pasture, meadow and common

land

Warnborough Green Odiham 4.36 Unimproved wetland

meadows

West Minley Meadow Hartley Wintney/Blackwater and

Hawley 4.33

Wet, grazed acid grassland

6.4 Castle Bottom National Nature Reserve (NNR) is an important valley mire located in the

north of the district. The reserve also includes supporting heathland and woodland. The

nature reserve is also part of the SPA and Castle Bottom to Yateley and Hawley

Commons SSSI. The site is owned and managed by Hampshire County Council.

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Figure 1. Statutorily designated sites in Hart

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Locally Important Sites

6.5 Habitats and species which are regarded as important at a county level are designated as

Sites of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINCs). Hart works in partnership with the

Hampshire Biodiversity Information Centre (HBIC) to identify, designate and monitor the

sites. Sites are designated using a series of criteria created by Hampshire County Council,

The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Natural England. SINCs are reviewed

annually on a rotational basis and boundaries on existing sites can change while new SINCs

can also be designated. Occasionally SINCs can also be deleted if they no longer hold the

interest for which they were originally designated.

6.6 There are 273 SINCs in the District at present which cover at total of 1, 986 ha. SINCs

comprise a wide range of habitat types including woodland, grassland, aquatic features and

heathland. All SINC's in the district can be seen on the council's online mapping

https://maps.hart.gov.uk

6.7 Local Nature Reserves are designated by the Council with approval from Natural England.

LNRs have an emphasis on being sites which can be enjoyed by the public for recreation

and education while also being managed for nature conservation.

There are three LNRs within the District:

• Elvetham Heath (managed by HDC)

• Fleet Pond (managed by HDC)

• Zebon Copse (managed by Hampshire County Council)

Elvetham Heath LNR

https://maps.hart.gov.uk/

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7. Nature Conservation Sites managed by

Hart District Council

7.1 Hart Countryside Services manages three areas of SSSI: Fleet Pond (also an LNR), Odiham

Common and Hazeley Heath (south). These three sites are varied in the component

habitats they support including heathland, ancient woodland and reedbeds. They require

a range of specialised management regimes to ensure the features of nature conservation

they support are protected.

7.2 Fleet Pond Local Nature Reserve covers 21 hectares and is Hampshire’s largest freshwater

lake. Much of the lake is designated as SSSI. As well as the open water of the lake there

are associated reedbeds, woodland and small areas of heathland. Much of the woodland

associated with the reserve is regarded as wet and is dominated by alder and willow.

7.3 Hart District Council owns and manages 51 hectares of Hazeley Heath, all in Hartley

Wintney Parish. This is generally referred to as the southern section of the heath with

the northern section being owned and managed by the RSPB. This is one of the largest

tracts of lowland heathland in the region where 90% has been lost in the past 100 years.

This endangered environment supports an array of plant and animal communities and it is

because of this rich biodiversity that it has been notified a Site of Special Scientific Interest

(SSSI), by Natural England. It is also part of the Thames Basin Heaths Special Protection

Area (SPA) for its internationally important heathland habitat.

7.4 Odiham Common covers around 115 hectares is located in north Hampshire to the north

east of Odiham and south of Winchfield and falls within the Odiham Common with

Bagwell Green and Shaw Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The site is an extensive

area of wood pasture (formerly grazed by commoners’ livestock), meadows and common

land. The oak/hazel woodland contains abundant holly. Due to its historic management

as wood pasture the ground flora is more typical of acid grassland. Given this variety of

habitats the common supports a wide range of notable species.

7.5 In addition to the SSSI sites, HDC also own and manage Elvetham Heath LNR and SINC

which is located on the northern edge of Fleet, abutting the M3 motorway corridor. The

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site covers approximately 26 hectares of public open space, consisting of heathland and

woodland.

7.6 The Countryside Service also manages a number of other sites which include SINCs within

the boundaries. These include Hartley Wintney Central Commons and Suitable

Alternative Natural Greenspace (SANG) sites such as Bramshot Farm Country Park. It is

likely that further SANG sites will be adopted and managed by HDC over the course of

this action plan and they represent opportunities for ecological enhancement within the

general SANG management objectives.

Hazeley Heath SSSI

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8. Action Plan 2018-23

8.1 This updated five-year plan outlines the actions that will provide the framework for

delivery of biodiversity protection and enhancement across the district during the plan

period.

8.2 The Government’s Biodiversity 2020 strategy for the UK highlights that “…conserving

biodiversity in England has long depended on partnership, involving statutory, voluntary,

academic and business sectors”. Potential partners for delivering specific actions are

highlighted in the plan.

8.3 The actions fall into three broad categories: Development Control and Planning Policy,

Site Management, Enhancement and Monitoring and Raising Awareness of Biodiversity in

the district. The plan also includes a section for review as the plan period progresses.

8.4 Development Control and Planning Policy

Action Timescale Responsibility/Potential

Partners

Relevant

habitats/sites/species

Development Control

Where relevant, ensure that

biodiversity is a material

consideration at the pre-

application stage

Ongoing

2018-2023

HDC Officers, Natural

England, developers

Could potentially

benefit all habitats &

species

Provide biodiversity

comments on planning

consultations within 28-day

expiry period

Ongoing as

required

2018-2023

Biodiversity Officer

Could potentially


species

Planning Policy

Produce a “Supplementary

Planning Document” for

biodiversity outlining HDC

expectations for applications

2018-2019 HDC officers, potentially

external consultants

Could potentially


species with some

species targeted

specifically e.g. swift

bricks incorporated

into new builds

Investigate the potential for,

and if feasible introduce, a

"biodiversity offsetting"

scheme for Hart in order to

deliver "net gain"

By March

2019

HDC Officers, potentially

external consultants,

landowners

Could benefit a number

of targeted habitat

types and associated

species

17

Support Planning Policy with

general biodiversity advice as

required for the Draft Local

Plan Strategy and sites

Document and associated

New Settlement DPD

Ongoing as

required

2018-2019

HDC officers ---

Work with HBIC to develop

"ecological network habitat

mapping" layer and

investigate how to integrate

this into planning policy

2018-2020 HDC officers, HBIC

Potentially a range of

habitats e.g. woodland,

acid grassland,

heathland

8.5 Management, Enhancement and Monitoring


Partners

Relevant


Site Management

Ensure that HDC managed

SSSI sites are managed

positively in line with existing

or developing management

plans to protect and enhance

designating ecological

features and work towards

achieving “favourable”

condition

2018-2023 HDC Officers, HDC

Countryside Service

Odiham Common,

Hazeley Heath & Fleet

Pond and designating

species

Ensure that HDC managed

SINCs are managed

positively to enhance the

features of the designating

criteria

2018-2023 HDC Officers, HDC

Countryside Service

Could potentially

benefit a range of

species and habitat

types

Ensure that biodiversity

opportunities on HDC

SANG sites are maximised

where appropriate alongside

SANG function

2018-2023

HDC Officers, HDC

Countryside Service

Could potentially

benefit a range of

species and habitat type

Provide management advice

to external landowners to

maximise biodiversity on

their sites

2018-2023 Parish Councils, Private

Landowners

Could potentially

benefit a range of

species and habitat

types

Biodiversity Enhancement Projects

Support existing wildflower

projects and develop new

opportunities

Annually

2018-2023

HDC officers, Grounds

Maintenance, Highways,

Parish Councils

Invertebrates e.g.

butterflies/bees

Support small enhancement

projects across the district

Annually

2018-2023

Countryside Services,

Parish councils

Could potentially

benefit a range of

species and habitats

18

Biodiversity Resource Monitoring

Organise site-specific

monitoring surveys for SSSI

sites as required by

condition assessments

Annually

2018-2023

HDC officers, countryside

service, external

consultants

Could potentially

benefit a range of

species including

designating species for

SSSIs

Maintain SLA with HBIC and

oversee SINC monitoring

survey program

Annually

2018-2023 HDC Officers, HBIC

All SINC sites within

the district

HDC representation on

HBIC Steering Group 2019-20 Biodiversity Officer ---

HDC representation on

Hampshire Local Authority

Ecology Forum

Annually

2018-2023 Biodiversity Officer ---

8.6 Education, Awareness and Events


Partners

Relevant


Education, events and awareness

Provide biodiversity-based

talks to local interest groups

Minimum of 2

Annually

2018-2023

Biodiversity Officer ---

Contribute biodiversity

related articles to Hart

News

2 Annually


Maintain relevant biodiversity

information on HDC

webpages

Ongoing

2018-2023 as

required

HDC Officers ---

Arrange “Bioblitz” at

Bramshot Farm in

Collaboration with other

officers

2019 HDC officers, Countryside

Service ---

8.7 Review


Partners

Relevant


BAP Review

Annual Review highlighting

achievements of the action

plan

Annually


Full five year review of whole

action plan 2023 Biodiversity Officer ---

PAPER C

SERVICE BOARDS 2018-19 Attendees: Chairman of Overview & Scrutiny, Overview & Scrutiny members, Portfolio Holder(s), Head of Service, Leadership Team member(s) All meetings are in Committee Room 3 (CR3) at 7pm Service Invitees Day Dates Environment & Tech Services

Patricia Hughes John Elson Portfolio Holder: Alan Oliver David Neighbour James Radley

Scrutiny Cllrs: Ken Crookes (Chair)

Weds Weds Weds Weds

27 June 17 October 16 January 6 March

Community Services

Patricia Hughes Kirsty Jenkins Portfolio Holders: Stuart Bailey James Radley


Tues Tues Tues Tues

10 July 9 October 22 January 12 March

Regulatory Services

Daryl Phillips Nick Steevens Portfolio Holder: Sara Kinnell Graham Cockarill


Weds Weds Weds Weds


Corporate Services

Patricia Hughes Andrew Vallance Portfolio Holders: David Neighbour James Radley


Thurs Thurs Thurs Thurs


PAPER D

1

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE DATE OF MEETING: 19 JUNE 2018 TITLE OF REPORT: QUARTER 4 AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE

INFORMATION – 2017/18 Report of: Joint Chief Executive Cabinet member: Councillor David Neighbour, Leader

1 PURPOSE OF REPORT 1.1 To update Members on the Council’s performance indicator results for the final

quarter of 2017/18 (1 January 2018 - 31 March 2018), as found in Appendix 1. 2 OFFICER RECOMMENDATION 2.1 For any areas of concern, Members recommend action considered necessary;

either to the Service Board responsible for that indicator, or to Cabinet.

2.2 For Members to note the inclusion of performance measures for our Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with third party / charitable organisations and some minor changes to reporting of Capita related KPIs due to the commencement of services in October 2017.

2.3 For Members to feedback to the Joint Chief Executives, any amendments or new

information they wish to see included in these Performance Reports. 3 BACKGROUND 3.1 Performance information reports play a key role in ensuring that the Council

manages performance effectively across the services it delivers. 4 CONSIDERATIONS 4.1 Of the indicators reported the following table summarises performance by

service area:

Service Area Green Amber Red Data Only

Audit 0 2 1 0

Community Services 2 1 0 1

Customer Services 1 1 0 0

Environmental and Technical Services 1 0 0 0

Finance, Revenues and Benefits 3 3 0 0

Human Resources 6 0 0 0

PAPER D

2

IT Services 7 0 0 0

Leisure Services 1 0 0 0

Regulatory Services 3 3 0 0

Service Level Agreement Performance 16 0 3 0

5 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS 5.1 None identified.

Contact Details: Daryl Phillips - 4492, email: [email protected] APPENDICES Appendix 1 – 2017/18 Quarter 4 / Annual performance indicator report


PAPER D

3

2017/18 Quarter 4 Annual performance indicator report

| Key: Below target Met target / data only | Audit

KPI Description Note Q1 17/18 Q2 17/18 Q3 17/18 Q4 17/18 Target Trend Status

IA01 Percentage of Audit Plan completed during the year

Review of Waste Procurement carried forward to 2018/19 Plan. Review was delayed as the Waste Team priority was waste tender process.

8% 31% 61% 93% 100%

Amber

IA02 Percentage of Audits carried out within time allocation

1 Review overrun due to data breach investigation 100% 100% 95% 97.5% 100%

Amber

IA04 % of High Risk Audit Recommendations Implemented

Data management recommendations still not implemented. Progress is linked to the 5 Councils transition and the use of SharePoint. TOM for IT is now aiming at Summer 2018 and work has begun on SharePoint in the interim to allow for progress on this recommendation

90% 90% 90% 50% 100%

Red

Community Services


HS01 Average time (in days) taken to decide whether to accept people as homeless

Based on 13 formal homeless decision(s) made in Q4, the longest case took 32 days, the quickest was 3 days

23 21 7 19 15

Amber

PAPER D

4

HS07 Preventing Homelessness - number of housing advice cases where homelessness prevented

Indicator to be reviewed for next financial year to better reflect the changes taking place as part of the trailblazer activity

18 29 18 20 18

Green

HS08 % of private sector housing grant budgets actually spent (DFG) (Values are cumulative)

£453K paid out of £627K budget. £203K committed, £270K at referral stage 15% 20% 38% 73% N/A

Data Only

HS16 Number of affordable homes delivered (gross)

A total of 144 affordable homes were developed and allocated during 2017/18. 77 of these were new rented homes and 67 new shared ownership homes.

23 53 112 144 60

Green

Customer Services


CS01 Quality of Customer Service Call Handling - % score from monitoring sample

Scores remained good over the year 98% 97% 96% 90% 90%

Green

CS02a % of telephone calls answered by Contact Centre in 30 seconds

Implementation of IVR has led to a decrease in calls taken by the contact centre (people are routed directly to the right team instead) allowing for an improvement in response times month on month, however weather disruptions in Feb/May caused higher than expected call volumes meaning service just missed target

75% 74% 89% 68% 70%

Amber

PAPER D

5

Environmental and Technical Services


ETS01 Number of missed collections – All – (per 100,000)

Collections disrupted in Feb/Mar but performance for the year has been good 51 49 41 60 100

Green

Finance, Revenues and Benefits


FI06 % of undisputed invoices paid on time (old BVPI8) 96% 99% 97% 97% 97%

Green

RB01

% of benefit assessments calculated correctly (new and change in circumstances)

From Q3 due to change in reporting under the new contract this figure relates to most recent monthly performance at the quarter end

96% 98% 95% 93% 95%

Amber

RB05 Percentage of Non-domestic Rates Collected 34% 58% 82% 97% 98.5%

Amber

RB06 % of Council Tax collected 30% 58% 85% 98% 74%

Green

RB07 Time taken to process Housing Benefit/Council Tax Benefit new claims.

From Q3 due to change in reporting under the new contract this figure relates to cumulative performance as at the quarter end

22 20 22 22 23

Green

RB08 Time taken to process Housing Benefit/Council

From Q3 due to change in reporting under the new contract this figure relates to cumulative performance as at the quarter end

13 7 10 9 8

Amber

PAPER D

6

Tax Benefit changes of circumstances.

Human Resources


HR01 % accuracy in gross and net pay calculations for all payrolls

Figures from HR01 – 05 are self-reported by service provider 100% 100% 99% 99% 98%

Green

HR02

% of cases not dealt with by HR front office and which are not treated as HRP work requests that are dealt with in 3 working days

99% 98% 99% 99% 95%

Green

HR03 DBS applications sent to the DBS within 1 working day 100% 100% 100% 100% 95%

Green

HR05 % Complex HR queries resolved within 10 working days 100% 100% 100% 100% 95%

Green

HR12 FTE days missed due to long term absence

Hart remains below the 2016/17 industry benchmark average in terms of FTE days missed

0.31 0.08 0.22 0.20 1.57

Green

HR13 FTE days missed due to short term absence

Hart remains below the 2016/17 industry benchmark average in terms of FTE days missed

0.49 0.35 0.49 0.44 1.57

Green

PAPER D

7

IT Services


IT01 % registered controllable incidents resolved at first point of contact 94% 95% 91% 93% 60%

Green

IT02 % Priority 1 incidents fixed within 4 working hours

Relatively low number of P1s for the year reflect a largely stable service 92% 100% 100% 98% 90%

Green

IT03 % Priority 2 incidents fixed within 8 working hours

Relatively low number of P2s for the year reflect a largely stable service 96% 100% 100% 99% 90%

Green

IT04 % Priority 3 incidents fixed within 5 working days 98% 90% 86% 91% 85%

Green

IT05 % uptime of key systems 99.9% 99.8% 99.8% 99.8% 99%

Green

IT06 % uptime of Hart DC website 100% 100% 99.9% 99.9% 98%

Green

IT07 % score for Council employee satisfaction with Capita IT support service

93% 93% 97% 95% 80%

Green

PAPER D

8

Leisure Services


LS05 Summary of Projects status - Number of days ahead / behind project timetable

Key projects remain on track 0 0 0 0 0

Green

Regulatory Services


R01

% of proactive inspections (including food, health and safety, animal welfare and licenced premises) completed within prescribed time

59 food inspections (A-D) completed, 2 outstanding 0 H&S inspections due for Q4

98% 97% 99% 97% 98%

Amber

R02 % of Environmental Health complaints (including noise, public health, food) responded on time

194 of 210 complaints responded to within required timescale for Q4 92% 99% 94% 92% 98%

Amber

R07 Major development application decisions made within the statutory determination period

75% 88% 67% 100% 60%

Green

R08 Non-major development application decisions made within the statutory determination period

77% 84% 85% 76% 70%

Green

R09 Other application decisions made within the statutory determination period

207 of 225 determined in timescale for Q4 90% 90% 92% 81% 85%

Amber

LS12 % of Tree Preservation works applications determined within eight weeks 97% 98% 99% 97% 90%

Green

PAPER D

9

Service Level Agreement Performance

KPI Description Note Q1 17/18 Q2 17/18 Q3 17/18 Q3 17/18 Trend Status

Citizens Advice

SLA CA01 Percentage of clients reporting a positive experience of the service 83% 94% 90% 92%

Green

SLA CA02 Percentage of clients rating access to the service as fairly good or very easy 58% 68% 82% 81%

Green

SLA CA03 Percentage of clients reporting that the service helped them find a way forward to a moderate, great or complete extent

83% 94% 85% 87%

Green

SLA CA04 Percentage of clients reporting their problem was partly, mostly or completely resolved

66% 83% 75% 81%

Green

SLA CA05 Percentage of clients reporting that they would be fairly or very likely to recommend the service to other people

78% 95% 86% 90%

Green

Fleet Phoenix

SLA FP01 Number of young people participating in activities 211 143 208 258

Green

SLA FP02 Number of young people reporting improved knowledge and understanding of how to deal with the issues facing them

121 282 198 249

Green

SLA FP03 Number of young people reporting positive life style changes

Lower value in Q3 reflects a lower number of cases seen in that period 48 78 52 112

Green

PAPER X Appendix 1

10

SLA FP04 Number of young people reporting improved emotional wellbeing and mental health

78 78 108 145

Green

SLA FP05 Number of referrals made to supporting agencies KPI commenced from October 2017 N/A N/A 11 7

Green

SLA FP06

Number of community awareness raising/promotion activities developed and delivered by young people, with support from Fleet Phoenix

KPI commenced from October 2017 and first activities now slipped to next financial year N/A N/A 0 0

Red

Hart Voluntary Action

SLA HVA01 Number of new volunteers placed with a volunteer placement organisation

Actual numbers may be higher. It has been challenging to get feedback from individuals and organisations that placements have taken place. 359 volunteer referrals were made to organisations and 468 volunteering enquiries were received. A similar trend of low volunteering numbers is seen across Hampshire. The team plan to work closely with the local MP this year to tie in with a planned voluntary event

29 12 18 36

Red

SLA HVA02 Percentage of volunteer placement organisations reporting positive feedback N/A 93% N/A N/A

Green

SLA HVA03

Number of new people accessing the Sunshine and Showers depression and anxiety support groups

12 new people accessed the Sunshine and Showers depression and anxiety support over the year 1 1 7 3

Red

SLA HVA04

Number of new young people supported by the 1-2-1 Youth Counselling service

70% (116) of children and young people successfully engaged with the counselling process (reported an improvement)

40 47 24 48

Green

PAPER X Appendix 1

11

SLA HVA05

Number of new health and wellbeing activities developed in conjunction with Leisure and Environmental Promotion services

New Saturday Health Walk at Fleet Pond Dementia friendly walk developed and on track for launch in July

1 0 0 1 Green

Inclusion Hampshire

SLA IH01

% of Hart young people learning at Inclusion, who access a well-being therapy or counselling

Number of Hart young people enrolled at Inclusion Hampshire by Quarter: Q1 19; Q2 19; Q3 9; Q4 11

100% 100% 100% 100%

Green

SLA IH02 % of families of Hart young people offered family support from Inclusion 100% 100% 100% 100%

Green

Royal Voluntary Service Fleet

SLA RVS01

Annual Update: 4 new members have joined the Lunch Club in 2017-18 and numbers currently sit at 12. The Lunch Club no longer runs on a Monday due to diminishing numbers but continues to meet on a Thursday. A new promotional postcard has been produced and will be used to market the lunch club within the community. 1 new member has joined the Day Centre in 2017-18 and numbers currently sit at 7. As a result of the increase in numbers, 5 more carers have been supported to take a break from caring. In total 18 older people receive a nutritrional meal each week by attending the Lunch Club and Day Centre

Green

1

CABINET KEY DECISIONS/ WORK PROGRAMME AND EXECUTIVE DECISIONS MADE July 2018 Cabinet is required to publish its Key Decisions and forward work programme to inform the public of issues on which it intends to make policy or decisions. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee also notes the Programme, which is subject to regular revision.

Report Title Ref (Note 1)

Outline/Reason for Report/Comments

Original Due Date

Revised Due Date

Key Decision

Y?

Cabinet Member (Note 2)

Service (Note 3)

Hart Biodiversity Action Plan Feb 18 Update of the Existing Plan June 18 July 18 DN CS

Procurement of Database Nov 17 For approval of a new IT system Feb 18 July 18 JR RS

Revenue and Capital Outturn 2017/18

Annual Annual report on outturn. Aug 18 DN F

Treasury Management 2017/18 Annual Annual report on Treasury Management Activities 2017/18

Aug 18 DN F

Budget Monitoring Quarterly Quarterly Budget Monitoring Sept 18 Dec 18 Mar 18

DN F

Public Space Protection Order - Viability for Fleet

May 18 To consider the viability of a Public Space Protection Order for Fleet town centre

Sept 18 JR CSF

Tenancy Strategy 5 Years Update Dec 18 SB H

Fly Tipping June 18 Update on managing fly-tiping and potential penalties post consideration by Overview and Scrutiny

AO/ SK TS/ RS

Treasury Management Strategy

Annual Approval of 2019/20 Strategy Feb 19 DN F

PA

PE

R E

2

2019/20 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax Proposals

Annual Approval. Recommendation to Council. Feb 19 DN F

Service Plans Annual Agree Service Plans 2019/20 April 19 DN All Food and Health and Safety Service Plan

Annual For approval June 19 SK RS

Outside Bodies Annual To confirm representatives on Outside Bodies

June 19 DN JCX

Notes:

1 Date added to Programme 2 Cabinet Members DN Leader and Finance SA Partnerships GC Planning Services SB Housing SK Regulatory Services AO Technical Services JR Contracts & Community Safety 3 Service: JCX Joint Chief Executive CS Corporate Services RS Regulatory Services CSF Community Safety PP Planning Policy TS Technical Services F Finance H Housing Services SLS Shared Legal Services MO Monitoring Officer

1

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE WORK PROGRAMME – June 2018

Issue and Description of

Topic Current Position

Objective Original

Due Date

Revised Due Date

Resources Required

Contact

Universal Credit Roll Out

Ian Gardener, Senior Employer and Partnership Manager for Wiltshire Swindon and North Hampshire, to attend

April 18 June 18 Presentation Joint Chief Executive

Nominations to Service Boards

Member nominations to Service Boards Annual June 18 Chairman O&S Committee

2017/18 Performance Information – Annual Outturn

Annual report on outturn Annual June 18 Report Performance and Innovation Officer

Hart Biodiversity Action Plan

Updated Plan prior to consideration by Cabinet June 18 Report Environment & Technical Services

Treasury Management Outturn

Annual report on outturn Annual July 18 Report Head of Finance

2017/18 Revenue and Capital Outturn

Annual report on outturn Annual July 18 Report Head of Finance

Tree Policies Revisions to consider prior to consideration at August Cabinet

July 18 Report Ecology and Countryside

Public Space Protection Orders

To consider viability of PSPOs in Fleet prior to consideration at September Cabinet

Aug 18 Report Community Safety

Performance Information Quarterly highlight reports. Aug 18 Nov 18 Feb 19

Report Performance and Innovation Officer

Quarterly Budget Monitoring

Quarterly update on budget Aug 18 Nov 18 Feb 19

Report Head of Corporate Services

PA

PE

R F

2




Objective Original

Due Date

Revised Due Date

Resources Required

Contact

Annual Review of SANG Performance review Sept 18 Environment & Technical Services / Planning Policy

Capita Contract Review performance of Capita Sep 18 Sep 18 Report Head of Corporate Services

Corporate Risk Management Report

Quarterly update on corporate risk profile Sept 18 Dec 18 Mar 19 June 19

Report Audit Manager

Flooding

Notes from twice yearly meeting of Agencies

Oct 18 Mar 19

Minutes Environment & Technical Services

Fly Tipping Update on managing fly-tipping and potential penalties

Nov 18 Report Environment & Technical Services

Budget 2019/20 (inc Medium Term Financial Forecast )

Annual forecast Annual Nov 18 Report Head of Finance

Treasury Management Strategy

Annual report setting out the treasury management strategy for the council

Annual Jan 19 Report Head of Finance

Draft Budget 2019/20

Report Annual Jan 19 Report Head of Finance

Service Plans To make recommendations to Cabinet on the Draft Service Plans 2019/20

Annual Mar 19 Report Joint Chief Executive

Annual Review of Commercial Strategy

Consideration of performance of Commercial Strategy

Annual April 19 Report Joint Chief Executive

Body Worn Video Annual monitoring of usage Annual April 19 Report Environment & Technical Services

3




Objective Original

Due Date

Revised Due Date

Resources Required

Contact

Outside Bodies Reports from Representatives on Outside Bodies Annual April 19 Report Joint Chief Executive

RIPA Annual monitoring of usage

Annual April 19 Report Monitoring Officer

Annual Review The Chairman’s end of year report from Committee to full Council on the work of the Committee 2017/18

Annual April 19 Report/ Discussion

Committee

Procurement Process Report on the process and its fitness for purpose

None TBC Joint Chief Executive

Car Park Ticket Machines 6 month review after implementation - meeting objectives, learning lessons etc

None TBC Environment and Technical Services

Portfolio Holders To talk about their portfolios and any current issues being faced.

O&S.1

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Date and Time: Tuesday, 19 June 2018 at 7pm Place: Committee Room 1, Civic Offices, Fleet COUNCILLORS Axam, Burchfield, Collings, Crookes (Chairman), Delaney, Drage, Harward, Quarterman, Wheale, Warlock, Wright In attendance: Councillors Neighbour and Forster Officers: Patricia Hughes Joint Chief Executive Andrew Vallance Head of Corporate Services Paul Howe Biodiversity Officer Ian Gardener DWP Ian Bartlett Capita Sally Plank Chief Officer, Hart Citizens Advice Bureau

1 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN Councillor Burchfield was elected as Vice Chairman for the forthcoming municipal

year. 2 MINUTES The minutes of the meeting of 17 April 2018 were confirmed and signed as a correct

record. 3 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None received. 4 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman asked the Joint Chief Executive to provide a summary of the role of Overview and Scrutiny. The Joint Chief Executive also provided extracts of the relevant sections of the Constitution. Councillor Forster made a recommendation to attend the LGA course on Overview and Scrutiny.

5 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST None declared. 6 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION (ITEMS PERTAINING TO THE AGENDA) None.

O&S.2


Ian Gardener, Senior Employer and Partnership Manager for Wiltshire Swindon and North Hampshire, informed Members of the Universal Credit roll-out. • Universal Credit combines six forms of benefit types into one single benefit,

for new claimants (existing claimants will migrate over, when a change of circumstances occur or when the government decide to move all over).

• Claim process is ‘digital by default’ via the .GOV website and once a claim is made and being paid, all information is available online.

• Payment is monthly, which is a shift from the existing benefit system, to encourage people to get used to the sort of family budgeting that would be necessary if they were in work.

• Around 60% of claims are being made on a mobile phone, and there are banks of computers at our Job Centres

• £4K given to Local Authorities by DWP is to help with digital assistance. • Roll out has been based on the geography linked to Job Centres, so

Basingstoke and Reading have already gone live. Bulk of the rest of Hart will go live in October, Alton, Aldershot and Farnborough Offices in October, and Camberley in November. Confirmation is needed whether these post codes have been laid in front of Parliament ahead of further communication with residents

• Reference was made to the Audit Commission report and the difference between the findings within that document and the narrative on the positive elements of Universal Credit. The new system was described as much more flexible, one which positively encourages people to undertake work, without the need to make new claims.

• Members asked whether a bank account was necessary, and whether this has been an issue. Members were advised that simple accounts, which don’t provide an overdraft, are available for such residents.

Mrs Plank and Mr Bartlett gave the local context including • To put the local position in context, in Hart we have 3600 households on

either housing benefit or council tax support, 1800 of these households of working age. However, with this wider collation of other benefits, the number claiming Universal Credit may be much higher.

• The Council did, during the recent refresh of the reception, provide p.c.’s to help residents to access the system (with reception staff trained to help).

• A new element on the Hart website will be called “Entitled to”. Add in your details to this system and it will provide a ‘ready reckoner’ identifying which benefits you may be entitled to. Timescale for this will be within the next couple of months.

• CAB have looked at demand and it appears demand peaks tend to be a month to two month period, and can lead to a doubling of demand. We will be encouraging our outreach officers to be out and about, and recruiting additional resources to help people on the digital journey.

• Examples were provided of unintended consequences e.g. currently you currently cannot claim Universal Credit if you have more than two children.

O&S.3

8 HART BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN

Paul Howe provided a short presentation to Members on the work of Biodiversity and the draft Biodiversity Action Plan. Members considered the draft Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) 2018-2023, prior to it being submitted to Cabinet for approval.

Members made the following comments and suggestions: • Could further information on the achievements (the timescales) from the

existing plan be provided • Could we supply further information on what resources we need to deliver

this new draft plan. • There could be further narrative about the positive impact of trees in the

urban environment • Confirmation was sought on how the Biodiversity Action Plan relates to the

Management Plans as they are not referenced • Whether the impact of sea gulls on biodiversity, particularly at Fleet Pond had

been considered and they may be inhibiting songbirds • When grazing at Hazeley Heath, will occur • When will Management Plans will be updated

DECISION That the draft Biodiversity Action Plan 2018-23 be noted.

9 NOMINATIONS TO SERVICE BOARDS To nominate members to Service Boards, meetings as detailed on the schedule.

Members were asked to contact Committee Services the dates they were intending to attend noting that the Chairman intended to attend each. Members noted that the CCTV visit clashed with the first Community Services Service Board, and sought clarification if the meeting could be held there.

The Boards would consist of the following Overview and Scrutiny Committee

members: Environment & Technical Services – Cllrs Delaney , Collings, Harward, Worlock,

Wright Community Services – Cllrs Burchfield, Axam, Collings, Drage, Wright Regulatory Services – Cllrs Collings, Harward, Wheale, Wright Corporate Services – Cllrs Collings, Quarterman, Wright

O&S.4

10 QUARTER 4 AND ANNUAL PERFORMANCE INFORMATION 2017/18

Members were updated on the Council’s performance indicator results for the final quarter of 2017/18 (1 January 2018 - 31 March 2018). Members suggested changes to various KPI’s, to be discussed in the first instance at the respective Service Boards.

DECISION

That the information be noted. 11 CABINET WORK PROGRAMME The Cabinet Work Programme was considered. The addition of a paper on

Commercialisation and Agency Agreements with Hampshire County Council further to the T19 transformation was noted.

12 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY WORK PROGRAMME The Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme was considered and amended as

follows:

• Addition of Flytipping Strategy - August • Commercialisation • Monitoring of the Peer Review - December/January

The meeting closed at 21.30

agenda - hart district...monitoring of important sites and the development of small biodiversity...

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